A novel study reveals space travel and the low gravity associated with it is behind the rewiring of astronauts’ brains. Here’s everything you need to know.
How does space travel affect the brain?
The human body and mind hold several secrets and the ability to overcome hardships. The statement is especially true for those who go to space. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Neural Circuits reveals that astronauts’ brains underwent modification for months after returning to earth. The rewiring is evident after space travel of almost six months. Scientists studied diffusion MRI scans of the brain from 12 astronauts from Roscosmos and the European Space Agency (ESA). The 12 astronauts had spent an average of 172 days in space and underwent scanning both before leaving and after arriving home. Some participants also had a final scan almost seven months after their space travel. The scans were performed by fiber tractography, a brain imaging technique.
The analysis of the reports reveals that the corpus callosum, the part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres fills up with liquid after space travel. The Corpus callosum also serves as the communication network of the brain. According to researchers, this is a “real structural alteration”. Researchers have also been trying to understand several other effects of space travel and the lack of gravity.
How does low gravity lead to health issues?
According to NASA’s Human Research Program, there are five preliminary dangers that astronauts experience after spending a lot of time in space. During space travel, isolation and confinement are some of the major drivers that affect their mood, stress, and sleep levels. Additionally, the lack of fresh food can lead to nutritional deficiency. The distance from earth is another added stress and they will have to face possible medical issues. A change in gravity can affect the bones, muscles, and the hards. Additionally, muscle atrophy is a significant danger for astronauts. NASA’s research reveals that astronauts spending five to 11 days in space can lose about 20 percent of their muscle mass.